The State Government has announced a new plan to upgrade over 60 public schools across Western Australia. The plan has allocated $500 million to upgrade aging facilities to help public schools cope with a growing number of enrolments.
At least half of the schools in WA are over 50 years old, Education Minister Sue Ellery said. The money will be allocated to 46 schools in Perth and 17 across regional Western Australia.
Ellery states that the money will be targeted towards upgrading schools by boosting their capacity as the rates of enrolment had taken in increase, with some schools unable to facilitate the higher volumes.
The project highlights upgrades involving new classrooms, ovals, halls, and performing arts facilities. Older schools are experiencing pressure due to an increase in enrolment, so we will be adding extra classrooms and science blocks to alleviate these problems, Ellery said.
The Education Minister has also reinforced the importance of this plan in ensuring children are learning in authentic education environments. The funding has also been guaranteed in areas where the overall population is growing.
The plan has been announced in conjunction with the Western Australian Government’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan. As the country grapples with a recession, WA’s recovery plan is worth $5.5 billion and aims to target 21 priority streams involving local technologies, training, tourism, and unemployment to name just a few.
The overall plan, which aims to rebuild the economy also has a strong focus and commitment to regional WA, Aboriginal communities, women, and young people, who are reportedly the groups facing the biggest impact as a result of the pandemic.
The boost to public schools will begin within the current financial year and is expected to create 1,850 jobs for brickies, plumbers, and other tradies and apprentices said, Premier Mark McGowan. The plan aims to solve the long-term problems and needs of the state.
The Premier has reinforced the need for a first-class education in all WA public schools. Schools built between the 1950s and 1970s needing refurbishment will be the largest recipients of the scheme, Mr McGowan said.
The investment aims to avoid widespread bankruptcy as a result of the pandemic and get as many people as possible back to work. Projects of this scale take months, sometimes years to get going but Premier McGowan has said, this interdependent plan cannot wait any longer.
The scheme will allow teachers to implement a range of new projects within new facilities including creative arts, sports, and industrial design, President of the State Schools Teachers Union of WA, Pat Bryne said.
Teachers will be happy with the announcement, she said, it will now be down to ensuring schools remain adequately staffed as school infrastructure grows along with the local population.
